Behind the barriers: Five bets for the weekend

Fair to say we stunk up the joint at Flemington on Derby Day, but thankfully Black On Gold and Carzoff got the job done. We are looking for five winners for the afternoon, so here are the five bets for the weekend.

Bet 1: Each way – Flemington Race 1, number 8: Really Swish
I think you’ll get better odds on race day, so wait until then. Real Saga colt is on debut for the Corstens team. This bloke has been set for this race for a few weeks now and I think he can run a beauty here on debut. Trialled a couple of weeks back on this track over 800 metres and led all the way to win, and he ran okay time for the morning, doing it under a hold. Looks promising and happy to include him.

Bet 1: Win – Flemington Race 5, number 1: Qewy
This is the bet of the day for me, and $4 is quite acceptable overs even. I thought this horse had an outstanding win in the Bendigo Cup. He was off the bit around 1000 metres out and under constant niggle from McEvoy, but like the quality horse he is he just kept firing under pressure and on the line was comfortably holding Kiwia. I think he holds that horse again and that does look the main form race.

Bet 3: Win – Rosehill Race 4, number 6: Bon Amis
If you can get even money or better with a boost, it’ll be a good watch then. He is a standout at Rosehill. It’s hard to get enthused about 900-metre races at Newcastle as a Saturday form reference, but wow, you have to watch the replay of this boy winning. He absolutely toyed with them like it was a barrier trial and ran splits of a horse who could be blacktype quality. Only bad luck will beat him.

Bet 4: Win – Rosehill Race 5, number 4: I Am Serious
I’m very keen on this mare. I just hope they roll forward. Quality mare for the Chris Waller team who has slowly taken her time to find her feet in town. But she’s established now and she can continue her winning ways. I loved the way she knuckled down to win last time out over 1500 metres at Randwick, wearing down Just Dreaming to win. Up to 1800 metres on her home track looks perfect, keen.

Bet 5: Each way – Doomben Race 9, number 8: Hay Now
An opening price of $11 looked silly overs, and I’m not surprised to see it firm. This is a Matty Dunn-trained galloper who resumed under the lights at Canterbury, where he had a suck run behind the speed but when they sprinted, he was left flat-footed. Still, he kept on and was game in running third. He should get a lovely run from the gate here, and he’ll do me each way.